Social Justice Secretary to announce Budget will eradicate child poverty

The Social Justice Secretary is to pledge to eradicate child poverty through warm safe homes, sustainable jobs and benefits.

During a debate on tackling child poverty and inequality, Shirley-Anne Somerville will tell MSPs later on Tuesday that the 2025-26 Budget will contain the means to drive progress on the missison to make child poverty a thing of the past in Scotland.

She is expected to say the Scottish Government will commit more than £6.9 billion for benefits expenditure – nearly £1.3 billion more than the UK Government gives to Scotland for social security.

She will also say the Scottish Government will commit £3 million to develop the systems needed to mitigate the two-child cap in 2026.

She will also promise to double the budget for supporting Fairer Future Partnerships to £6 million, and that £90 million will be committed to employability services – meaning Scots can access support to go into sustainable jobs.

Free school meals will also be expanded, with an additional investment of £3 million to expand access to breakfast clubs for thousands of children.

Ms Somerville is expected to say: “Through this Budget the Scottish Government is continuing to commit more than £3 billion a year to measures which tackle poverty and support households with the cost of living, including the Scottish Child Payment which is putting more money directly into the pockets of low income families.

“This builds upon the actions we have taken to date, which modelling published in February 2024 estimates will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.

“This Budget is unashamedly optimistic in bringing forward investment that will help to put Scotland on a more prosperous, sustainable footing that is fairer for all.

“I appeal to members to embrace that positive vision and support this Budget – so that we can continue to build the thriving Scotland that we across this chamber all want to see.”